Support and actuator assembly for bulldozer means



United States Patent John Coontz 172/698 112/743x l72/446X u. y n" er "u 6 2m Ma Ma mp. Sn EW m n n s .moa 6 SCV wm RJ Z56 666 r 999 we 111 n .ni 874 mm m 997 HE 240 t WM 853 at 494 mk n m 333 FA 0 7 W 6 m K a w .m K 6 0 M 97 9 l L X014, MHMZ o 0 8 I. 0 E7MN r 0 d m N m n L n 0 en.- M fla 1 AF? 1 1]] 2 25 7 224 I. [ll

Attorney-John l-l. Widdowson [54] SUPPORT AND ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY FOR BULLDOZER MEANS ABSTRACT: This invention relates to a bulldozer means at- 5 Claims, 10 Drawlng Figs.

tachable to a conventional farm tractor and, more particularly, to a support and actuator assembly adapted to receive a bulldozer blade attachable to a tractor for use in earth moving operations. Still, more specifically, this invention relates to a support and actuator assembly including an A-frame assembly attachable to a tractor in a three-point manner; main support means attachable to the A-frame assembly laterally adjustable relative thereto; a blade attachment assembly connected to 7 2 4%. 4/92 N U 7 7 .07 1 ll 0 A 446, 447, 141 -14'Z;53&j35;459, 673, 396, 398, 440-445, 679, 680; 280/460.l, 461.1, 456.]

m .mF UN. 55 [all- References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS the main support means and adapted to receive a bulldozer blade thereon; and the blade attachment assembly having an adjustable quick angle device for pivotal movement of the 172/789 172/784 blade relative thereto whereupon any desired height and angul72/446X lar position of blade may be achieved.

mLm "a" am. med. oon home mom PMM 507 9 5 899 1 1 II. 362 l 441. 939 6 430. 635 36 2 Patented Nv. 2,4,1970

INVENTOR.

JOHN COONTZ ATTORNEYS Patefited N66. 24, 1970 3,542,136

Sheet 2 13 INVENTOR.

JOHN COONTZ Patentg d NW. 24, 1970 Sheet INVENTOR.

JOHN coomz ATTORNEYS SUPPORT AND ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY FOR BULLDOZER MEANS Numerous types of adjustable bulldozer attachments are known to the prior art connectibleto conventional tractors and operable to place a blade member in the desired position; however, the prior art devices are limited in adjustable movement, rigidity, and are not adapted to be readily attached to a three-point hookup on the rearward end of a tractor. Additionally, theprior art devices are limited in adjustability while retaining the required structural strength necessary in the heavy duty earth moving operations.

In a preferred embodiment of the bulldozer means of this invention, an A-frame assembly is provided readily attachable in a three-point manner to the rearward portion of a tractor having a main support means readily secured thereto and pro vided with a blade attachment assembly connected to the support means adapted to receive a bulldozer blade thereon. The A-frame assembly is provided with an elongated main box member having a plurality of rearwardly extended lifter plates connectible to the tractor and an upper assembly attachable to a turnbuckle member on the tractor whereupon the A-frame assembly can be raised and lowered as desired by actuation of parallel lift arms on the tractor. The main support means is provided with a base frame assembly having an end box member attachableto the main box member on the A-frame assembly and movable laterally relative thereto for adjustment purposes. The base frame assembly is provided with parallel rearwardly extended side box members, each secured to a connecter arm attached to the blade attachment assembly having the blade member mounted thereon. The blade attachment assembly includes a main base section having a rotatableangle attachment means mounted thereon pivotal about an upright main king pin and locked in a given rotational position relative to the base section to provide for ready angular adjustment of the blade member about a vertical axis. Additionally, the blade member is connected to a tilt plate secured to the angle attachment means and adjustable about a substantially horizontal axis to provide a given working angle as required.

One object of the bulldozer means of this invention is to provide a device overcoming the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art devices.

Another object of this invention is to provide bulldozer means including a main support means with one end readily attachable to-a tractor and the opposite end connected to a blade attachment assembly having a bulldozer blade member mounted thereon to provide a rigid but readily adjustable structure.

Still, another object of this invention is to provide a bull dozer means including an A-frame assembly connectible to a tractor; a main support means connected to the A-frame assembly adjustable laterally relative thereto; a blade attachment assembly connected to a rearward portion of the main support means; and a blade member attached to the blade attachment assembly whereupon the blade member is rotatable about a vertical axis and, additionally, may be raised and lowered, adjusted laterally, and angularly.

One other object of this invention is to provide a bulldozer means having a blade attachment assembly with a bulldozer blade member secured thereto wherein said blade attachment assembly is readily attachable to either the rearward or forward portion of a conventional farm tractor for earth moving operations while maintaining rigidity plus easy rotational adjustment of the blademember about a vertical axis.

One further object of this invention is to provide a bulldozer means that is rigid in construction, substantially maintenance free, and economical to manufacture.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following discussion, taken in conjunction with accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a bulldozer means of this invention attached to a tractor vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of an A- frame assembly of the bulldozer means of this invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a blade attachment assembly of the bulldozer means of this invention as connected to the forward portion of a tractor vehicle;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the blade attachment assembly of this invention illustrating connection to a portion of the main support means; I

FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 are schematic diagrams in top plan views illustrating the combination adjustable features of the bulldozer means of this invention;

FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view illustrating the adjustment feature about a horizontal axis of the blade member of the bulldozer means of this invention; and

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary side elevational view illustrating the lifting movement of the bulldozer means of this invention.

' The following is a discussion and description of preferred specific embodiments of the new bulldozer means of this invention, such being made with reference to the drawings, whereupon the same reference numerals are to be used to indicate same or similar parts and/or structures. It is to be understood that such discussion and description is not to unduly limit the scope of the invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail and in particular to FIG. 1 a bulldozer means, indicated generally at 12, is connected to the rearward portion of a tractor 14 by a three-point hookup method. The tractor 14 is provided with a pair of parallel, rearwardly extended lift arms 15, each having one end pivotally connected to a tractor body 16 and the other end to the bulldozer means 12. Intermediate the opposite ends of the lift arms 15 are connected control linkages 17 connected to the body 16 of the tractor 14 and rotatable to raise the lift 'arms 15 as by the conventional hydraulic power system of the tractor 14. A turnbuckle member 19 is pivotally connected to the body 16 through a U-clamp 21 and having an outer rearward end connected to the bulldozer means 12. The tumbuckle member 19 is of a threaded type manually rotatable to regulate length and resultant angular relationship of the bulldozer means 12 relative tothe tractor 14 as will be explained.

The bulldozer means 12 includes an A-frame assembly 23 connectible to a tractor 14, a main support means 25 having one end secured to A-frame assembly 23, a blade attachment assembly 27 connected to the other end of the main support means 25, and a bulldozer blade member 29 connected to the blade attachment assembly 27.

As shown in P16. 2 the A-frame assembly 23 includes a horizontal connecter structure 31 having a vertical support as sembly 32 secured thereto. The horizontal connecter structure 31 is'provided with an end box member 33 having a plurality of parallel laterally extended support plates 35 at opposite ends extended to a common side thereof. The support plates 35 are spaced at predetermined distance adapted to receive the lift arms 15 from the tractor 14 therebetween and are provided with aligned holes 37 adapted to receive a lock-. type rocker pin 38 to pivotally connect the same to the lift arms 15. Theend box member 33 is of a square tube in transverse cross section having a plurality of aligned spaced pairs of holes 39 in opposite upright sides 41 to receive bolt members 42 as will be explained on attachment of the main support means 25 thereto.

The vertical support assembly 32 includes an upright, invertcd Y-shaped structure secured to the end box member' 33 as by welding and having a rearwardly extended attachment assembly 43 mounted thereon. More specifically, the Y- shaped structure is provided with a pair of cooperating, irregularly shaped leg members 45 having the lower ends thereof secured as by welding to the upper surface of the box member 33. The upper ends of the leg members 45 are interconnected as by bolt members 46 to provide rigidity and adapted to receive the turnbuckle member 19 thereon as will be explained. Additionally, the leg members 45 are interconnected by a support plate 48 which is vertically supported on parallel upright plate members 49 welded to the aligned upper surface of the end box member 33 to provide added stability thereto.

The attachment assembly 43 includes a support plate member 51 secured as by welding to end box member 33 and extended substantially perpendicular thereto. The support plate member 51 is given additional rigidity by a gusset plate 53 welded to the upper surface thereof and the adjacent side of one of the upright plate members 49. The attachment assembly 43 is given substantial rigidity by having diagonally extended strut members 54 secured to the outer rearward end of the support plate member 51 and the upper ends of the leg members 45. The outer end of the support plate member 51 is provided with a hole 56 therein adapted to receive a bolt member for assembly as will be explained.

The main support means 25 includes a base frame assembly 58 secured to rearward connecter arms 59 and 61 adapted to receive the blade attachment assembly 27 thereon. The base frame assembly 58 includes a forward connecter box member 62, a pair of rearwardly extended side box members 63 secured to the connecter box member support strut box members 56 interconnecting the side box members 63 and the connecter box member 62 for rigidity, and an intermediate box member 67 connected between the side box members 63 a predetermined distance from the connecter box member 62. All of the box members are preferably constructed of a square tubular material of heavy gauge to provide substantial rigidity. The connecter box member 62 is provided with a plurality of spaced holes 68 in upright sidewalls adapted to be connected to the end box member 33 of the A-frame assembly 23 in various laterally adjustable positions by use of the bolt members 42. The intermediate box member 67 provides substantial support having aligned holes 71 in the horizontal surfaces for connection to the support plate member 51 of the A-frame assembly 23 by a bolt member 72.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the connecter arms 59 and 61 are secured to respective ones of the side box members 63, and since they are substantially identical, only one need by described in detail. The connecter arm 59 is of an irregular, substantially hook-shape having the upper forward end thereof secured as by welding to the side box member 63, respectively. The connecter arm 59 is extended rearwardly and downwardly and having a first hole 74 in an intermediate portion and a second hole 76 in a lower attachment'section 78. These holes 74 and 76 are adapted to receive pin members for connection to the blade attachment assembly 27 as will be explained. Additionally, the connecter arms 59 and 61 interconnected by a lateral support structure having a strut plate 82 welded to an intermediate plate 84 extended downwardly and having a flat connecter portion 85 with a hole 86 therein adapted for connection to the blade attachment assembly 27.

As shown in FlG. 5, the blade attachment assembly 27 includes a quick angle attachment structure 87 connected to an adjustable tilt plate 88 adapted to receive the blade member 29 thereon. The attachment structure 87 includes a stationary support assembly 89 connectible to the lifter connecter arms 59 and 61 having a rotatable assembly 91 pivotally mounted thereon. The stationary support assembly 89 includes substantially identical, irregularly shaped upper and lower base plate members 93 and 94 interconnected as by support plates 96 about their periphery. The upper and lower base plate members 93 and 94 are provided with front and back edges 98 and 99 interconnected as by side edges 101 and diagonal edges 103 adjacent the back edge 99 and side edge 101. The upper base plate member 93 is provided with notches 105 adapted to receive a vertical support arm 107 therein. More specifically, each vertical support arm 107 is provided with an upright plate 109 having a pair of yoke plates 111 secured to opposite upper sides thereof. Alined openings 112 in the upper yoke plates 111 are adapted to receive pin members 114 for connection to the holes 74 in the respective connecter arms 59 and 61.

The undersurface of the lower base plate member 94 is connected to a pair of spaced attachment yokes 116 having first and second parallel side members 118 interconnected as by end member 119 with the upper surfaces welded to the base plate member 94. The rearward ends of the side members 118 are provided with alined holes 121 adapted to receive pin members 123 therethrough for connection to the lower holes 76 on the connecter arms 59 and 61, respectively. The upper and lower base plate members 93 and 94 are provided with central pivot openings 126 and equally, radially spaced holes 123 thereabout in order to receive a king pin 130 and anchor pins 132, respectively, therethrough in the assembled condition as will be explained. Additionally, a plurality of bushing members 134 are placed between the upper and lower base plate members 93 and 94 alined with respective ones of the alined holes 128 to provide additional rigidity to the overall stationary support assembly 89.

The rotatable assembly 91 includes top and bottom plates 137 and 138 secured to the adjustable tilt plate 88 and also to an upright king pin housing 140. The top and bottom plates,

137 and 138 are of a substantially semicircular shape constructed of a heavy gauge material given additional rigidity by triangular gusset members 142 welded to the upper and lower surfaces, respectively, and to the adjustable tilt plate 88. The top and bottom plates 137 and 138 are provided with alined, centrally positioned holes 143 adapted to be alined with the pivot openings 126 in the upper and lower base plate members 93 and 94 to receive the king pin 130 therein. Additionally, a pair of holes 145 spaced radially from the holes 143 are in top and bottom plates 137 and 138 adapted to receive the anchor pins 132 to secure the rotatable assembly 91 to the stationary support assembly 89 as will be explained.

The king pin housing 140 includes a pair of parallel upright plate members 148 secured as by welding to the top plate 137 and the adjustable tilt plate 88 and having a horizontally extended alinement plate 151 secured to the upper edges thereof. The alinement plate 151 is extended parallel to the topand bottom plates 137 and 138 and provided with a hole 153 in axial alinement with the holes 126 and 143 to receive the king pin 130 therein to provide lateral stability thereto. The king pin 130 is provided with a heavy duty main shaft 154 and a ring member 156 welded to the upper end thereof for ease of insertion and removal in the alined holes 86, 153, 143, and 126 found in the stationary support assembly 89 and the rotatable assembly 91.

The adjustable tilt plate 88 is provided with a main body 157 having upper and lower edges extended rearwardly to form flanges 159. The blade member 29 is secured to the adjustable tilt plate 88 through a plurality of bolt members 161 extended through arcuate slots 163. It is obvious that the blade member 29 can be adjustable as desired angularly about a horizontal axis relative to the adjustable tilt plate 88 due to the arcuate slots 163 as required for the proper soil working operation.

The blade member 29 is substantially conventional having a main mold board 164 with upright end plates 165 welded to opposite ends and having a replaceable cutting edge 167 secured as by bolts on the lower edge whereupon the same can be replaced as it becomes more worn.

1n the use and operation of the bulldozer means 12 of this invention, the A-frame assembly 23 is secured to the rearwardly extended lift arms 15 on the tractor 14 as by the rocker pins 38. Additionally, the turnbuckle member 19 on the tractor 14 has its outer end secured to one of the bolt members 46 interconnecting the leg members 45 on the A-frame assembly 23. The main support means 25 is thereupon connected through the end box member 33 and the connecter box member 62 by the bolt members 42 extended through aligned holes. The main support means 25 is securable in a preselected adjustable position extended from centrally positioned relative the A-frame assembly 23 to a position approximately 10 inches to either side thereof as shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8. It is seen that in FIG. 1 that the main support means 25 is illustrated as extended to the right hand position which may be desirable in certain roadgrading operations, etc.

The blade attachment assembly 27 is readily connectible to the rearwardly extended connecter arms 59 and 61 as by the pin members 114 and 123 extended through the holes 74, 76,

112, and 121 to provide for the vertical support thereof. The

adjustable tilt plate 88 through the arcuate slots 163 as shown in FIG. 9.

Additionally, it is seen in P10. that pivotal movement of the lift arms 15, in a counterclockwise direction as shown in FlG. 10, results in the bulldozermeans 12 being movable upwardly regulated by the turnbuckle member 19 for road travel.

As shown in FIG. 4, it is seen that the blade attachment assembly 27 and interconnected blade member 29 is readily connected to a front end of thetractor 14 as required providing for ready adjustment about an upright vertical axis.

In summary, it is seen that the bulldozer means 12 of this invention, as shown in FIGS. 6 through 9, inclusive, is readily adjustable relative to the tractor 14 vertically as by operation of the lift arms 15 and the turnbuckle member 19, positioned laterally of the tractor 14 as by the adjustable means between the A-frame assembly 23 and the main support means 25, the blade member 29 is rotatable about the vertical axis of the king pin 130, and the blade member 29 is independently adjustable about a horizontal axis. Therefore, it is seen that the bulldozer means 12 of this invention is readily adjustable in any desired direction to provide the proper working angle being of rigid construction for durability suitable for all types of soil working operations.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with preferred specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that this description is intended to illustrate and not tolimit the scope of the-invention, which is defined in the following claims.

lclaim:

l. A bulldozer means adapted to'be attached to a tractor having substantially parallel, rearwardly extending lift arms and a turnbuckle member, comprising;

a. frame means having a support member connected at opposite end portions to the lift arms, respectively, and an upright frame assembly secured to said support member connectible to the turnbuckle member;

b. said frame assembly having a rearwardly extended plate member;

. main support means having one end portion connected to' said support member in a desired laterally adjustable position;

d. an attachment assembly secured to the other end of said main support means;

said main support means having an intermediate boxlike member connected to said plate member of said frame assembly to provide rigidity thereto, and including an end box member connected to said support member, rearwardly extended parallel side box members secured to said end box member, connecter arms secured to the rearward end portion of said side box members, and con- 7 nected to said attachment assembly, said connecter arms connected to said attachment assembly at upper and lower positions for vertical and lateral support; and

f. a blade member connected to said attachment assembly for pivotal movement about an upright axis.

2. A bulldozer means adapted to be attached to a tractor havingsubstantially parallel rearwardly extending lift arms and a turnbuckle member, comprising:

a. frame means having a support member connected at opposite end portions to the lift arms, respectively, and an upright frame assembly secured to said support member connectible to the turnbuckle member;

b. said frame assembly having a rearwardly extended plate member;

0. main support means having one end portion connected to' said support member and having an intermediate boxlike member connected to said plate member of said frame assembly to provide rigidity thereto, said intermediate box member having a plurality of spaced holes therein adapted to receive a bolt member to connect said plate member thereto in a laterally adjustable position;

d. said supportmember having a plurality of spaced holes therein for adjustable connection to said main support means laterally relative thereto;

e. at attachment assembly secured to the other end of said main support means; and I f. a blade member connected to said attachment assembly for pivotal movement about an upright axis.

3. A bulldozer means adapted-to be attached to a tractor having substantially parallel rearwardly extended lift arms and a turnbuckle member, comprising:

a. frame means having a support member connected at opposite end portions to the lift arms, respectively, and an upright frame assembly secured to said support member connectible to the turnbuckle member;

b. said frame assembly having a rearwardly extended plate member;

. an attachment assembly;

. main support means having one end portion connected to said support member in a desired laterally adjustable position, and having an intermediate boxlike member connected to said plate member of said frame assembly to provide rigidity thereto, and including an end box member connected to said support member, rearwardly extended parallel sidebox members secured to said end box member, connecter arms secured to the rearward end portion of said side box members and connected to said attachment assembly;

e. said attachment assembly secured to the other end of said main support means and having a stationary section secured to said connecter arms and a rotatable section pivotally connected to said stationary section through a 1 king pin for pivotal rotationabout said king pin; and

f. a blade member mountable upon said rotatable section of said attachment assembly for pivotal movement about an upright axis.

4. A bulldozer means as described in claim 3 wherein said main support means having a stability strut member secured to and extended between said connecter arms, and said strut member having a central hole adapted to receive said king pin therethrough whereupon said attachment assembly is given substantial lateral stability.

5. A bulldozer means as described in claim 2, wherein:

a. said support member of a square tubular shape in transverse cross section having laterally extended, parallel connecter plates secured to opposite ends adapted to be members;

b. said A-frame assembly having upright downwardly diverging leg members secured as by welding to outer ends of said support member and interconnected at upper ends by bolt members and said stabilizer plate member interconnected by diagonal strut members to the upper ends of said leg members to provide stability thereto;

c. said main support means having an end box member, parallel side box members secured to said end box member and interconnected by said intermediate box member, and rearwardly extended connecter arms connected to said attachment assembly;

d. said intermediate box member and said end box member provided with a plurality of spaced holes thereinto receive bolt members where upon said main support means can be secured in a desired position laterally of said support member for placement of said blade member for earth moving operations;

sections thereby permitting rotation thereof; and

f. said attachment assembly including lock pin members extended throughaligned openings in said rotatable section and said stationary section to lock same in a desired angular position. 

